"In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church-Missiouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world."

-LCMS.ORG

2.3

MILLION

BAPTIZED

MEMBERS

6,100

CONGREGATIONS

9,000

PASTORS

2

SEMINARIES

10

COLLEGES/

UNIVERSITIES

How exactly DOES the LCMS makes known the love of Christ?

The LCMS has over 21 different ministries and missions for outreach. These include:

-Campus Ministry

-Urban & Inner City Missions

-Witness and Outreach Ministry

-Health Ministry

-Disaster Response

-Youth Ministry

The LCMS strives to make an impact involving some social issues that people within the country face.

Child Abuse- the LCMS through their website provides information and outside resources on how to spot and prevent child abuse.

Domestic Violence- the LCMS gives a brief education on domestic violence and encourages an recognize and intervene.

Disability- Many resources are provided to those who have disabilities and their families to provide help for them to become involved in the church.

Immigration- Resources to inform how the LCMS feels immigration should be handled based on the Bible.

Abortion- Resources about why it is important to value life

etc.

What things does the LCMS struggle with?

Same-Sex Marriage

The LCMS, like other Christian denominations, do not condone or support same-sex marriage. Recently, the Supreme Court passed the ruling that denied states the right from keeping same-sex couples from marrying. As a church, this ruling begins to threaten our beliefs that are based on the Bible. However, many people believe that thoughts on issues like same sex marriage and even sexuality in general are a matter to be handled personally, within the home, or in the power of the government.

First of all, all social issues in general, including those on marriage and sexuality, ARE a matter of the church. Without discussion about said issues within our churches, members might get the idea that the church doesn't really care what your opinions might be. The LCMS, first of all, needs to make it clear that it isn't wavering on this topic. The LCMS has no intention on compromising, because there is no compromising when it comes to standing up for God, and what He instructs us to do. Marriage is a good and sacred thing, and by giving it the room for compromise, we expose it to many negative possibilities.

Religious Freedom/Church vs Government

When the constitution was first put into place, it agreed with religious beliefs expressed in places like the Ten Commandments. It was just agreed that the laws of the government were those that were put in place by God naturally. However, the church and government have become less than allies. With issues such as the sanctity of marriage, the restricting of faith, and abortion (the requirement to provide birth control), the voice of the LCMS church has been toned out and gone unheard.

I think that in order for the church to reinstate a position of importance within major decisions, a more prominent voice needs to be established. Matthew Harrison, the president of the LCMS, does a phenomenal job at voicing the concerns of the denomination when given the chance, but that's exactly the thing is that the LCMS isn't given enough opportunities to voice approval or disapproval. Liberal organizations that get bills passed are the ones that demand to be heard by the government. However, as a religious body, the church is turned away on grounds of forcing religious beliefs upon others. The LCMS denomination is very good at being reserved, but when it comes to issues that conflict with the bible, our stance needs to be non negotiable.

"We must obey God rather than men"

-Acts 5:29

In Conclusion

In conclusion, the LCMS has many efforts to encourage it's members and spread the love of Christ. They've made an impact in several areas, and provide resources that will strengthen their mission. However, the LCMS has room to improve. The one thing that I think that the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod needs to remember is to hold firm. Society today would love nothing more than to see our church cave and give in to its plans. Giving in would mean giving up what we believe in, and letting down WHO we believe in. The more that we stand back and watch, the less God is represented in the way that Lutherans have promised to represent him.